In the busy world we all live in everyone could use an extra hour of four in their day. Unfortunately, most of us tend to go through energy slumps and struggle to find the time to get through all the activities that we need to do each day. What most people don’t realize is that your health and nutrition have more to do with energy than anything else. Here are four simple steps to maximize and energize your life.
Sleep – I know it is a cliché, but sleep is where it all starts. The better you sleep the more energy you will have during the day. However, don’t be confused it is less about the quantity of sleep than it is about the quality of sleep. Be sure to have the right firmness of mattress and to sleep for a natural amount of time each day. If you are constantly losing energy in the evenings – try going to bed earlier. You might find that sleeping according to your natural cycle will give that energy boost for long days at work or play.
Avoid Coffee and Soda – Everyone knows that a cup of coffee is a great stimulant to kick-start a day; but most people don’t recognize that this kick-start comes with a price. Coffee might feel like a good solution for energy, but it is addictive and causes dependency. The problem is that when you are dependent on that java, you’ll lose the ability to get natural healthy energy, instead relying on that cup of joe. Almost everyone who has given up coffee and soda reports having more energy in the long run. They also report feeling healthier. Another thing to avoid is sugary drinks; sugar might make you feel energetic but the crash and burn you get will outweigh any quick buzz.
Ingest Protein – Yup, protein. Studies have shown that diets deficient in protein deprive the muscles of the essential nutrients they need to perform at a high level. Considering that all the movement you do is powered by muscles, it is important to keep them functioning at a high level in order to have the energy to go about your day. It’s also been shown that lean muscle mass will help kick start human metabolism, so having more lean muscle will also produce more energy throughout the day. One way to encourage lean muscle while ingesting protein is through whey protein supplements. These supplements provide the right sort of protein that your body can quickly absorb in order to keep your muscles working at optimal levels. They also are low fat and are able to encourage the development of lean muscle when paired with exercise. Protein is an energy solution most people avoid.
“Smart” Stimulants – Finally, everyone might need an extra boost or now and then to help get through the day. You want to be smart about those stimulants. I’ve already explained why coffee and sugary soda is bad for you, so let’s look at some healthier and smarter alternatives. One plant extract that contains a high dosage of caffeine that isn’t shown to be addictive is Guarana. Sources of guarana vary, but it can provide a high energy boost without much of the cost. Another good source of energy and caffeine comes in the form of Green Tea, which has the added benefit of being loaded with antioxidants. Getting these natural boosts can be tricky, but I’ve found that many companies pack these into candy or snacks. One example I found is from Top Form Supplements. They have a “Good Energy Chocolate” that tastes great and is loaded with these healthier alternatives for a quick energy boost.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://articlepile.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites